Mara River and Grumeti River Wildebeest Migration Safari 

Safari (Game Drive) in Western Serengeti
Kirawira, Nyasirori, Simiti…the names are hard to say and maybe difficult to remember, but over the next few days these locations in Tanzania’s Western Corridor will bring you wildlife adventures that will fill you with memories. Your driver-guide can choose from a number of ‘loops’ when searching out wildlife opportunities for you: these depart from and reconnect to the main road, visiting different types of vegetation and exploring varied habitats. Two important rivers cross this region, and the permanent pools created by the Grumeti and Mbalageti ensure that animals can be seen all year-round. Populations of elephant and giraffe, wildebeest, baboons and lions are all resident here, but the Migration time sets a different scene entirely. Huge crocodiles lurk in anticipation of the river crossing, looking to pick off a wildebeest or two as their herds plunge into the waters for the other side. Safety in numbers? Not always, so perhaps you will see not only a crossing, but a kill as well. Patience will bring its rewards – for crocodiles and for you, the visitor, poised with your camera!

Afternoon Game Drive in Western Serengeti
Whether it’s the best place to catch a wildebeest river crossing, the best time to watch a lumbering hippo leave its pool to feast on vegetation for its evening meal, or simply to find the highest vantage point from which to watch the sun set over the plains, your driver-guide will draw on his incredible knowledge and experience to give you wildlife encounters beyond your imagination. Today, once again we will explore this Western Corridor of the Serengeti, admiring its grasslands and bushlands and the wildlife. Here, ponder that perhaps this is how the world once was, long, long ago, with animals in the ascendant and few humans to be seen. Simply incredible, and thought-provoking, too.

Day’s Highlight
While you’ve been asleep or having breakfast, you can be sure that your driver-guide has been checking to see what’s happening in the wonderful world of wildlife. Rest assured, he will find you a highlight!

Safari in Central Serengeti
Before leaving the Western Serengeti, we take the opportunity this morning to enjoy another game drive in this incredible location. This allows us further time to wonder at the migratory herds and the dangers and challenges they face each year in their battle for survival. As well as the herd animals, you can look to the skies, perhaps finding a majestic martial eagle or one of the other birds that populate this area. As well as the thousands of migrating animals, this area also has a good population of resident wildlife, so you will never be disappointed. In the afternoon, we take the short drive to the central part of Serengeti, where after lunch a game-drive will introduce you to this wildlife ‘hub. Finally, you will go to your chosen accommodation for relaxation and your evening meal.

The Seronera River weaves its way through this area, providing waters for all species of wildlife. You will also see the distinctive rocky outcrops, the famous kopjes which characterize the Serengeti landscape. Lunch will be an unforgettable experience, enjoyed in the middle of the bush.After our lunch, we set off again, searching for wildlife in this awe-inspiring park. Serengeti’s wonders evolve subtly as the day progresses. The myriad animals and birds are the ‘stars of the show’ and Nature’s dramas can unfold at any time. Of course, the animals don’t work to a timetable, so we may find lion or leopard, elephant and zebra, cheetah and antelope at any time on our drives. At the end of the afternoon, we return to the camp for dinner and some much-needed rest.

Safari in Northern Serengeti National Park
The Northern Serengeti is a land of open woodland, extending from the Seronera in the south to the Mara river in the north, marking the frontier with neighboring Kenya. During your time here, you can get to grips with a whole new set of exotic names: Bolongonja, Kogatende, Lamai and of course, the legendary Mara river.We are now following in the footsteps of the Great Migration, great herds of thousands of zebra and wildebeest getting ready to cross the Mara into Kenya, and back again. On a daily basis, crossings cannot be guaranteed, but our driver-guides know the most likely places to witness them, one of Nature’s most awe-inspiring sights. Patience is required! And if you’re not lucky enough to witness a crossing, there’s always tomorrow; and in Northern Serengeti, plenty more to see today

Afternoon Safari (Game Drive) in Northern Serengeti
Depending on what your driver-guide found for you yesterday and this morning, this afternoon we’ll set out to see something new. If a Mara River crossing has escaped you, perhaps the conditions this afternoon will suggest that a crossing could take place. Our driver-guides have intimate knowledge of where and when they might occur. As well as the migrating herds, the Northern Serengeti is an area where you might easily see giraffe, elephant and dik-dik: with many resident species, there’s never a dull moment.

Journey: Northern Serengeti – Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport
Your flight this morning will take around 2 ½ hour.

Meal plan
Breakfast is served at Mara Mara Tented Lodge. Lunch will be a nutritious and balanced meal, also provided by the Lodge for you to take out on your flight and enjoyed after your arrival, before we return you to the airport for your flight home. As today is your departure day, please note that dinner tonight is not included in the tour.

Departure Instructions
Please note that this Mara River and Grumeti River Wildebeest Migration Safari – 8 Days tour ends at Arusha or Kilimanjaro International Airport at 17.30 hours. Your departure can only take place today if you have pre-booked a domestic flight which leaves from Kilimanjaro International Airport at 19.40 hours or after, or an international flight which leaves at 21.00 hours or after. Otherwise, you will need to book an extra night’s accommodation (not included in the tour price) and take a flight the following day.

Post Tour Extension
After your exhilarating time on safari, you may want to extend your Tanzanian holiday with time on Zanzibar’s wonderful beaches. Please contact us for details.